Six receive Pride of Workmanship Awards
Six local workers have received Pride of Workmanship Awards from The Rotary Club of Umina Beach.
They were Alia Khan, Susan Murphy, Kylie Oaks, Rad Popowicz, Max Wildman and Cameron Skian.
Most awardees were nominated by their employers, which were local Peninsula businesses.
Award-winner Ms Alia Khan is the communications manager at Active Edge Promotions and Stickygreenfrog Graphic Design.
"Her role is both creative and complex," said Rotary Club awards organiser Mr Simon Darwin.
"She is the company's resident wordsmith and loves helping clients transform abstract ideas into words that will resonate with their audience.
"Working jointly with the creative team, she helps clients form, develop, maintain and measure marketing and communications strategies to build their brand and connect with their target market.
"Alia is highly organised, efficient and provides clients and internal stakeholders the best possible service and solutions each and every time.
"She is approachable, friendly and always willing to help out.
"She has strong roots in Umina, but has studied, worked and travelled throughout Pakistan the USA and Australia."
Susan Murphy was nominated by the Umina PCYC where she works as activities officer.
Susan works at three PCYCs in the Hunter and Central Coast and also volunteers with Volunteering Central Coast.
Susan is involved with fundraising and volunteers at PCYC Umina.
The Peninsula Village nominated two employees for awards.
The first, Ms Kylie Oaks, was described by her employer as "a diligent worker who has worked for Peninsula Village for eight years.
"She is always courteous with whoever she is dealing with, whether it be a resident, a resident's family member or another staff member.
"Kylie always goes that extra mile with whatever task she is performing.
"She is flexible in regard to any task that is required of her."
The second Peninsula Village employee to receive an award was Mr Rad Popowicz.
The management of the Peninsula Village said Rad took on the task of liaising between staff and residents during six days of site inspections for a valuation exercise undertaken at Peninsula Village.
"Our reception received varied attitudes from residents when we knocked on their door but with Rad's gentle approach, explanation and persuasion they all, without exception, welcomed us into their homes or room.
"As sometimes was the case, the resident would be concerned about changing channels or turning off the TV, to something simple about the operation of the clothes dryer.
"In all situations, Rad gently and patiently showed how to operate the TV remote or the dryer thus always leaving, as a result of Rad's assistance, a grateful and happy resident.
"The inspection phase of a valuation in a retirement/nursing home is always difficult due to the frailty and uncertainty of residents as well as being an inconvenience in some departments, however at Peninsula Village, as we went through the various buildings all it required was Rad to beam his smile, explain what we were doing and access was granted and welcome.
"We benefited by his patience, his knowledge and his dedication to the village and his professionalism, as such he made our job enjoyable and we recommend him for a Pride of Workmanship award."
Cameron Skehan, a local carpenter was nominated for a Pride of Workmanship Award by one of his clients.
"Cameron was recommended to us when we started on our journey of rectification of the termite damage to our home," the client said.
"He proved himself to be not only competent but, reliable and trustworthy.
"He really demonstrated the ideals of the Pride of Workmanship by not cutting corners and not being happy with just doing the job.
"I have no hesitation in recommending Cameron and I hope he will be doing some more work for us in the near future."
Max Wildman was recommended by his employer, Bakers Delight Umina where he is a first-year apprentice.
"He has taken a great interest in learning the art of baking from the senior bakers at work as well as at his TAFE course.
"Max has the right attitude and a good work ethic.
"He has a pleasant personality, is always smiling (even under pressure), is keen to learn and is a pleasure to work with.
"Moreover, he is working way beyond his capacity as a First Year Apprentice Baker and has good potential for future advancement in the trade."
Mr Darwin said that the Rotary Club members believed that pride of personal performance in the workplace and the sense of responsibility to do a job well were two of the "most intangible assets in our society".
"In preparing for this Awards evening, we sought the views and co-operation of our members and of local residents and businesses to locate people who they believe have such pride and responsibility and are therefore worthy recipients of Rotary Pride of Workmanship Awards," Mr Darwin said.
Email, 26 Oct 2016
Simon Darwin, Rotary Club of Umina Beach
Newsletter, 18 Oct 2016
Rod Radford, Rotary Club of Umina Beach